Evaluation/IEP Process:

In order for a student to be eligible for special education services (an IEP), they have to be evaluated by aptitude and achievement tests. In addition to those, parent input, teacher recommendations, family interview, and observations are also included in a complete assessment. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), eligibility is determined by “having intellectual disabilities, a hearing impairment including deafness, a speech or language impairment, a visual impairment including blindness, serious emotional disturbance, an orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, another health impairment, a specific learning disability, deaf-blindness, or multiple disabilities, and who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services.”